Isaiah 58:1-10
From the Library of Scripture, we’ve learned that fasting:
1. Empowers you to say no to
2. Leads you to say yes to
3. Opens you up to
Isaiah 58:1-3
What went
? Why was their fasting rejected?
Isaiah 58:3b-5
“It is common for everyone to ask in Lent, how many weeks each has fasted; and some may be heard saying they have fasted two, others three, and others that they have fasted the whole of the weeks. But what advantage is it, if we have gone through the fast devoid of works? If another says, “I have fasted the whole of Lent,” you should say, “I had an enemy, but I was reconciled; I had a custom of evil-speaking, but I put a stop to it; I had a custom of swearing, but I have broken through this evil practice.” —John Chrysostom
Francis Schaeffer: Personal
and
Isaiah 58:6-7
You’re not actually loving
if you’re not
loving your neighbor.
Matthew 6:16-18
Luke 18:9-14
Matthew 25:35-45
How do you fast in a way that connects with the heart of God and taps into the power of God? By
for your neighbor.
3 ways we can begin to contend for our neighbors:
1. Ask God to move you from
to
.
2.
what you have to those in need.
“Do you wish your prayer to reach God? Give it two wings, fasting and almsgiving.” —St. Augustine
“estimate the cost of the food you would have eaten on that day and give that amount to a widow or orphan or someone in need. Be humble in this way, that the one who receives something because of your humility may fill his own soul and pray to the Lord for you.” —Shepherd of Hermas
3. Pray the
of God.
THIS WEEK’S PRACTICE:
- Choose one or two days this week to fast.
- During your normal mealtime, pray for your neighbors.
- When you experience a hunger pain, stop and pray for a neighbor.